Old School Tar Paper Fan? Watch this before your next install!

Huge thanks to PolyWall for sponsoring today's episode.

Subscribe and follow my Podcast on Apple or Spotify!

Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter:

To sponsor a video or advertise with us visit:

Huge thanks to our Show sponsors Polywall, Huber, Prosoco, Rockwool & Viewrail for helping to make these videos possible! These are all trusted companies that Matt has worked with for years and trusts their products in the homes he builds. We would highly encourage you to check out their websites for more info.

[syth]

Hey bud, I saw your hands burn a bit touching those budget products. If you do that again, make sure you wear a necklace of Zip Tape and anoint yourself with the water from a heat-pump water heater and you’ll be protected.

Jokes aside, thanks for another great video Matt!

[magictrading]

I wonder if this is the first time ever Matt hasn’t use the most expensive product available

[adamwest]

I love going through these videos seeing how to get good results with affordable materials. A lot of the homes I build are at the entry level price wise where it is hard to get the nice products to fit within budget.

[ltk]

The video explained the concept and products in a way that make sense to me and make me feel much more confident in moving forward on my shed, a comfort and confidence that I just wasn't getting from other videos. Thank you for the clarity and explanations.

[RErikWeigand]

Thanks for all the great tips. I'm a fan of the tried and true tar paper. Many Blessings

[tonyc]

More like this please. Focused on a specific topic, informative, and keep them not-long.

[MCP]

This video is excellent! Would you consider doing one about waterproofing around other penetrations like dryer vents, hose bibs, and electrical boxes for outdoor light fixtures?

[obsidian]

Thanks for the video. Definitely appreciated seeing a review on something I can afford.

[snibarts]

Hugh fan of felt asphalt paper 15 or 30 Lb, I only use felt paper when replacing my windows. Glad to see a real builder using the correct product for building walls. I love seeing white paper being absolute by green board with tape! Shows that white paper was complete BS! It only was intended to save time not create a better building over time.
Fyi; DuPont NF tape is great for window and door pans, it’s a little pricey, but it can’t be beat in my opinion!

[davenag]

Been remodeling for 40 years and have opened up many 100 year old homes that used 30# tar paper. This stuff is nearly unaffected by age and water. Whether under shakes, stucco or wood siding, it's remarkably intact over time. The oiled nature of the product repels water instantly, is unaffected by cedar tannins that seem to weaken housewrap, and offers some self sealing qualities around fasteners. Some of the failings that I have seen is around windows. Remember, old windows weren't flanged, and that modern detail along with new sealants and tapes makes all the difference in keeping the water out. In contrast, I have seen many a housewrap job that has failed miserably in just 20 years time. You young guys may doubt its durability, but from my experience, if it's installed correctly, it'll outlast the installer.

[ColeSpolaric]

Instead of using cap fasteners, don't install it right until siding installation if possible. Metal especially can telegraph the caps through.

[InvertedHermit]

Hey Matt, have you heard of a product called ‘ArmorWall Plus’ it’s by a company called MaxLife Industries (recently acquired by DuPont).

It’s basically like the Zip-R sheathing panels, but instead of OSB, it’s Magnesium Oxide Board, which has many benefits over wood products.

Would be great if you could do a comparison or take a close look at it.

Love the Build Show by the way, I’ve learnt a lot watching your channel. Look forward to each episode.

All the best

[Tom-vcrj]

Old school tar all the way.
At least 56 degrees north anyways. Haha.
Thank you Sir.

[EPAInvestigations]

Love Matt's how to videos. Helps me a lot.

[franciscocorado]

The one sec pause after placing the first flashing after 7:50 haha have double check we did that right lol love it though good seeing common product being demonstrated

[jenniferj]

For my home I put tar paper on the ply wood cut it back for window then glue window to wood then tape tar paper to outside window flange so water stays on outside of paper ..If done your way the air and water will still get in behind paper ...Mine will be real hard to get in air or water not unless window leaks or gets behind plywood ... When put up plywood on walls make sure you put plywood top to bottom not side ways more gaps for air and water ..For roof use side ways for more strength and less racking ...If want to put side ways put wood in that area to nail too ... This is may way and work great for 10 years so far less heat loss and no more water or air loss in homes ...

[JohnathanBach]

I’ve been using a hybrid method for my sheathing. The bottom 2ft I used Zip, regular OSB for the rest. Used Zip tape for all the sill flashings, (sloped sills 5-degrees), as well as all the sheathing seams. The Zip tape sticks amazingly well to the regular OSB, so I expect a high degree of air tightness. I’m using an LP Smartside (comes in 4’x8’ panels) for cladding. I’m thinking that with the solid siding, I shouldn’t have to worry about any house wrap. I do have 2’ overhangs, and typical 8’ walls. Thoughts???

[peep]

That didn't stick as well as I thought (hoped). I use 3m 8067 on felt with a j roller it works very well

[imshypleasebenicetome.]

The company I work for requires us to install Tyvek house wrap and tarpaper along with heat activated window flashing on the joints

[mrtopcat]

I wonder if there is any trick to get it stick even more to the tar paper and to create a stronger bond. Alike brushing some solvent or some sort of primer onto the tar paper.